Sculler Klaus von Fersen finished fourth and last, and was eliminated in the semi-finals of the single sculls at the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. The most successful sculler in West Germany in the 1950s he was coached by the famous German rowing coach Karl Adam. Together, with the future national coach Manfred Rulffs, he won the 1955 West German title in the double sculls. He also won the single sculls title from 1955-60. From 1956-59 he also won four consecutive silver medals at the European Championships, being beaten by Australian Stuart MacKenzie in 1957-58, and by Soviet Vyatcheslav Ivanov in 1956 and 1959. The two men won silver and gold respectively in Melbourne.
Germany
West Germany